Introduction

Hierarchical Levels of Biodiversity

Genetic diversity
The genetic variation within species, both among individuals within single populations and among geographically distinct populations

Species diversity
The variety of species that comprise a biological community—the collection of species that occupy and interact in a particular location

Community and ecosystem diversity
The different biological communities and their associated ecosystems that comprise whole landscapes

Genetic Diversity

Population-Level

Population
A group of individual organisms of the same species living within a given (or particular) geographical area at the same time.

How do we define the boundary of that geographical area?

  • Usually defined to be of a size in which individuals are likely to find mates and reproduce
  • Species that are geographically widespread are often subdivided into distinct breeding groups that live in different geographical areas.
  • These geographically separated groups are sometimes referred to as different populations of the same species or as subpopulations of the species.

Population Genetics

Individuals all have the same set of homologous chromosomes.



The ____ on those chromosomes are represented by different ____.

Population Genetics

Individuals all have the same set of homologous chromosomes.



The genes on those chromosomes are represented by different alleles.

Population Genetics

____ are different forms of the same ____.

Population Genetics

Alleles are different forms of the same gene.

We could also describe them as sequences of DNA that are found on the same gene ______.

Population Genetics

Alleles are different forms of the same gene.

We could also describe them as sequences of DNA that are found on the same gene locus.

Genetic Inheritance

For the F2 Generation:

  • What is the genotype frequency of YyRr?
  • What is the allele frequency of r?
  • If we only consider the Y gene, what is the frequency of heterozygotes?
  • If we only consider the R gene, what is the frequency of homozygotes?

Markers in Population Genetics

Polymorphic Locus
A gene for which more than one allele exists in the population

Polymorphism
the fraction of gene loci in which alternative alleles of a gene occur

Measures of Genetic Diversity

Application in Conservation Genetics

Species Diversity